Heinrich/Carson Readings

Carson's explosive imagery at the introduction of the text is an example of pathos - her words create vivid images in the mind, and as Heinrich said, sight is mostly pathos. She is trying to gain an emotional lead on her audience, making them imagine a time when things are as beautiful as she makes them. Carson then employs logos at the end of her argument, using Heinrich's tactic of making it look like your view is not opposite of theirs, as well as using "reverse words." Carson says that "it is not my intention that chemical insecticides must never be used." (p.22) Heinrich uses the example of a husband who says, "I'm not saying that dress makes you look fat - it just doesn't make you look skinny." Carson attempts to convince the reader that she is not opposed to the idea of insecticides being used. She knows her readers would not give her any credibility if she was because insecticides do a lot of good. She then goes on to say that "we have put poisonous and biologically potent chemicals ... into the hands of person largely or wholly ignorant of their potentials for harm," presenting no emotions, but hard facts. This tactic is known to make audiences question their actions without having a speaker actually tell them what they are doing is wrong. This approach is similarly taken in the well-known "truth" ads that simply present the facts and consequences of smoking without telling anyone that it's wrong to smoke.